Overview
- His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services has for the first time assigned every England and Wales police force a performance level under a national Policing Performance System.
- The initial publication placed 29 forces at Level One, 13 at Level Two, Lincolnshire at Level Three and none at Level Four, with the ratings based on inspection data and new performance targets.
- The framework uses data on neighbourhood policing, 999 response and incident response times plus investigation quality and safeguarding to spot problems earlier and guide support.
- The system links forces more directly to the Home Secretary and gives ministers, HMICFRS and the College of Policing formal powers to require oversight or send in turnaround teams.
- Local forces have publicly reacted—Durham, Cumbria and Wiltshire welcomed Level One ratings while Staffordshire and Warwickshire were offered enhanced support for shortcomings in response, investigations and protecting vulnerable people—and ratings can change after targeted support and re‑assessment.